We're always looking for new parks to take my son to play on the weekends and we recently visited…read moreDelaney Park for the first time. It's nestled in a little historic neighborhood just south of downtown, and we really enjoyed it. I appreciate that they have a dedicated smaller playground for younger kids ages 2-5 as well as one for older kids ages 5-12. The gated playground area was very toddler friendly and not too crowded on a Sunday afternoon. My son loves the swings and the slides. The park was clean and well-kept with plenty of shade from the oak trees. Parking was easy and free along the street. This park also has restrooms, picnic tables, tennis courts, and a baseball field. Adding this one into our regular park rotation!

Orlando is home to many local parks throughout the city. Every city should provide as many…read morerecreational opportunities like Orlando for its residents. We visited Delaney Park recently with our grandchildren. They had a great time. The playground is enormous and kept the children busy and active for a long time. The baseball fields, tennis courts, playground, fountain, and rest rooms all appeared to be well maintained. Lots of trees for shade as well as some picnic tables are scattered around the park.

This park is about 45 minutes from me and yet we've been several times. It's just that good! Theres…read moreso many different areas and things to play on. There's a big play area for the older kids and a smaller but plenty big area for the younger kids to play on. My son is only 17 months but loves to climb and I can appreciate that this park was designed for smaller kids in mind and there are less places where he could yeet himself off so as a parent I don't have to watch every single step he makes.

This lovely neighborhood park was named in honor of Wilson Phelps, a Chicago businessman who toured…read morethe area in 1874 and purchased land east of Lake Osceola for a citrus business. In addition to growing citrus, Phelps sold lots to fellow Chicagoans and mentored Loring Chase and Oliver Chapman into turning this largely unsettled area into an upscale winter resort. Phelps, acting as a one-man chamber of commerce, provided the basis of the promotional materials used by Chase and Chapman who marketed Winter Park to wealthy northerners. This nearly six acre park, in Winter Park, provides both natural beauty and recreational opportunities. One of the nicest features of this park is the playground that was rebuilt in 2021 by Kompan Design with input from area residents. This playground was designed to improve physical, cognitive, creative, and social development while fostering imaginative play and friendships. Other park amenities include basketball courts, tennis courts, pavilions available for rental, restrooms, picnic tables, and outdoor fitness equipment. There are also two hardcourts for pickleball. This park is fully fenced for safety and is beautifully landscaped and it is close to downtown Winter Park where you can find shopping and dining options. This park is the perfect place for a morning stroll, a birthday party, play, or a picnic. Phelps Park appeals to all ages. Community Parks don't come much nicer than this one.

What a fantastic park! Located just outside of Camping World Stadium, I recently learned that Lake…read moreLorna Doone Park is one of the oldest parks in Orlando. It underwent a major renovation in 2021 where they added lots of amenities and made everything brand new. Even now, 5 years later, everything has been so well maintained and still feels like new. They have a free miniature golf putting course, an awesome splash pad, shaded playgrounds, basketball courts, and a nice nature walking path. You'll also find shaded picnic pavilions and a community garden. My son absolutely loves coming here. The parking lot can be a little tricky to find because my GPS using Google Maps never takes me to the right place. Don't let the location detour you from visiting. It's such a nice park and feels very safe.

Lake Lorna Doone Park is one of the oldest parks in Orlando. It is just north of Camping World…read moreStadium. The neighborhood and the park is named after one of the earliest property owner's daughter's favorite novel, Lorna Doone, written by English author, Richard Doddridge Blackmore, published in 1869. Lake Lorna Doone was the site of the South's first integrated Little League Baseball game on August 9, 1955. The 1955 little league season was the first after US Supreme Court rulings had eliminated "separate but equal" conditions in the nation's schools and public parks. The Pensacola Jaycees were declared winners of their local district by Little League headquarters in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. When local officials would not allow them to play against the all-white teams they instead advanced to the Florida State Tournament which was held at Lake Lorna Doone Park. They ended up losing to host Orlando in the second round, 5-0 but they were welcomed by the hometown crowd and given encouragement. In 2021, 12 acre Lake Lorna Doone Park underwent an $8 million renovation. Added to the park was the nine hole Arnold Palmer Putting Experience, fitness stations, a playground, football fields, basketball courts, a splash pad and the Winnie Palmer Nature Trail. I especially liked the nature trail where I got to see native plants and wildlife. With the upgrades, this park now has all of the amenities needed to inspire a healthy, active lifestyle for the West Lakes families who live in this neighborhood and all who visit.

Secret Lake Park is one of our favorite parks in Casselberry. My twins always have fun. The…read moreplaygrounds are spacious and fun. They have separate play areas for older and younger kids. The walking trail around the lake is perfect for walks and watching the sunset. Perfect place for a picnic with family.

Secret Lake Park gets its name from the fact that is between Secret Lake, Triplet Lake, and North…read moreLake Triplet. Also nearby are Middle Lake and Lost Lake. This beautiful and well maintained park offers an array of recreational amenities. Sports enthusiasts will appreciate the basketball, softball, tennis, and racquetball courts along with a soccer on the multipurpose field. As a nature lover I enjoyed the many boardwalks with views of the lake and the sidewalk which meanders through the entire park. It is perfect for walking for exercise and I saw the cutest marsh rabbit as I made my way through the park. There are also two fishing piers. Kids will spend hours playing and on the two imaginative playgrounds. Secret Lake Park is also home to the recently renovated Casselberry Recreation Center which has a main room, ballroom, billiards room, computer room, outdoor deck area, activity room, and outdoor pavilions. The recreation center offers many programs from youth to senior. They include exercise, yoga, Tai Chi, Zumba, and dance classes. The park is also the host of several beloved Casselberry traditions like the HOWL-O-WEEN Dog Walk-a-Thon and Canine Costume Contest, Art & Music in the Park & Food Truck Bazaar, and the Casselberry Easter Egg Hunt. I really enjoyed my visit to Secret Lake Park. It is the perfect outdoor recreation destination for families, fitness seekers, and sports lovers. You can go for peaceful stroll, play basketball, or watch the kids play safely. The scenic lakeside views, comprehensive recreational programs, and variety of amenities add to the charm and versatility of this park.

If you have little ones, this is a great place to go. One of…read morethe coolest little spots I found at Disney's Animal Kingdom was The Boneyard. This is located right next to the Dinosaur ride in DinoLand U.S.A. This entire area is undergoing a major renovation but one of the parts that has not changes is the playground and the Boneyard. At first glance, it looks like just a kids' play area--but don't let that fool you. It's actually a super fun place to explore, especially if you need a break from the long lines and walking. The whole area is themed like an old dinosaur dig site, and it's packed with things to climb, slide down, and explore. There's a big shaded dig pit where kids (and yeah, maybe some adults too) can uncover massive "fossils" using shovels and brushes. It's all soft, sandy gravel so it feels safe, and it's surprisingly relaxing to just hang out there for a bit. I loved how detailed the theming was--cranes, tools, signs, bones sticking out of the ground--it really felt like a working dig site. It's also fenced in and well shaded (but NOT air conditioned), which makes it a perfect spot for parents to relax while the kids burn off some energy. An added bonus is this is one of the many places in the park where you can earn a sticker for the Wilderness Explorer Badge. So, if you're in Animal Kingdom with little ones (or even if you're just a big kid at heart), The Boneyard is definitely worth a stop.

Do you want your kids to sleep well for the evening? Take them to the Boneyard!!! Disney theming…read moreis showed off at this gigantic playground area for children. Once you get through the anxiety phase of loosing your child in a maddens of running kids. You can relax and be able to watch your kid from and area at the bottom of the park. As an added bonus, the slides are large enough for my 300 lbs frame to fit through. So I could chase my kids up and slide down with them just in case. There is a bridge that you can cross once inside the attraction. It leads to an excavation site with larger than normal sand rocks. Kids can dig out dinosaur shaped bones or just fill tons of green buckets. Characters will visit the play area from time to time. During our visit we were visited by Pluto who marched around and played with the children. There is stroller parking and alcohol hand gel for when you leave.

Highlight of my trip to Orlando. I'm not into the overstimulation that Orlando is famous for, if…read moreyou're looking for a little peaceful contemplation and relaxation come here for a leisurely stroll. There are interesting and tasteful sculptures distributed among the well planned horticulture. I love this park. There are a couple of ancient Oak trees. I'm sad to see the native green anoles are being over run by the invasive brown anoles, but they are both cute. The perfect break if you're in town for a busy convention or meeting. If you're coming to visit the art museum, plan on an hour or so to stroll through this park.

This community park is next to a short trail thats in between apartments, houses, business…read morebuilding. This a park without a playground however with unique art sculptures. Right next to the museum. The grounds are kept up nicely. I haven't seen many cyclists, however you find people walking and running near the trail

We were here at the end of the night and it was beautiful and relaxing. The lights lit up the…read morestructures ready to people to hike and climb. Younger kids will love this play area -- and my 20 yr old son who loves dinosaurs and Jurassic Park. I loved watching him appreciate the scenery was fun.

The Jurassic Park kiddie zone. It's a little playground area…read morewith a lot to run around and see and do. There's a rope climbing area, some slides and other fun mechanics to the little park. Great spot for parents to dump their kids to get a moment to sit and relax.

If you've ever been to Orlando, you likely came across the name Dr. Phillips. From roads and…read moreneighborhoods to schools and cultural venues, his legacy is stamped throughout Central Florida. Dr. Philip Phillips (January 27, 1874 - April 18, 1959), known as "Doc," was a pioneering citrus grower, businessman, and philanthropist. During the 1920s and 1930s, he built the world's largest citrus growing and processing operation. At one point, he owned more than 5,000 acres of citrus groves. His former groves and worker housing eventually evolved into today's community of Dr. Phillips. For more than a century, the Dr. Phillips name has been equated with generosity and community investment. Through Dr. Phillips Charities, which includes Dr. Phillips, Inc. and The Dr. P. Phillips Foundation, the organization has awarded more than $220 million in grants, pledges, and program related investments, supporting countless educational, cultural, health, and community initiatives throughout Central Florida. In 2007 Orange County honored Dr. Phillips philanthropic legacy with Dr. P. Phillips Community Park, a beautiful 43 acre park on Big Sand Lake. Nestled along the scenic Sand Lake Chain of Lakes, the park was developed by Orange County Parks and Recreation to provide green space, recreation, and public lake access to the rapidly growing surrounding communities. Today, the park offers something for everyone. The splash pad looked like an especially inviting place to cool off on this hot summer day. There is also a dog park, basketball and volleyball courts, playgrounds, and the LongHorn Steakhouse Loop Trail where I hiked a half mile trail through 10 acres of sand pine scrub. Along the way I enjoyed peaceful views of Big Sand Lake. This park is perfect for a family outing, a morning walk, or as a place to enjoy the outdoors. It is a fitting tribute to one of Central Florida's most influential and generous members.

I loved visiting this expansive park with my family! There are a lot of great amenities. First of…read moreall, Dr. Phillips Community Park sits on a small lake so it has a pretty view when you drive up. There is no swimming in the lake allowed however because of wildlife. Near the lake, there is a large playground for kids. It has slides, swings, and climbing structures. It's gated which is nice for the kids' safety (but parents/caregivers should still watch their kids!). They also have a splash pad next to the playground. In addition to the playground, there are lots of sidewalks all around to walk on. It's perfect if you want to get those steps in. There is a basketball court, sand volleyball court, dog park, and picnic tables. I saw a sign for occasional community events as well on the bulletin board near the bathrooms. We would love to come back to this park again when in the Dr. Phillips area of town!

I was born in Orlando in 1961, so Lake Eola has been a part of my entire life. I rarely make it…read moredown here anymore, but I had an appointment near here and as I parked, I look at the park and the lake and made sure that I would spent some time after the meeting, and I am glad that I did. It is so beautiful here, a sanctuary in the middle of the hustle and bustle of downtown Orlando. I walked around the lake, people watching, enjoying the foliage, the trees, the wildlife, so serene and tranquil. If I lived downtown, I would be here every day. I highly recommend taking a trip here and getting away from the city for a few minutes- you will be glad you did.

I've been going to Lake Eola on and off for about 30 years, and every time I come back I have such…read moremixed feelings about this place. I have beautiful memories here with my mother, my father, who has been gone for many years now, and my cousin, so I think that's part of why seeing this park now affects me as much as it does. I can still remember those different periods of my life here, but then I look at the lake and the wildlife and I keep thinking about how much better this place could be. I actually had to go look up the facts about Lake Eola because I started wondering if I was being unfair or if I was simply seeing it differently because I've known this place for so long. What I found was pretty surprising. Lake Eola has had serious water-quality problems going back decades. By the 1980s, pollution and debris were entering the lake with rainfall, and the lake eventually had to be de-mucked and cleaned in 1992. Today, it's an urban lake that receives stormwater from a large portion of downtown Orlando, which means everything washing off those streets and surrounding areas can ultimately make its way into the lake. What bothers me most isn't even the people walking around the park. It's the wildlife. There are swans, ducks, egrets, herons, fish, turtles and other animals living in and around this lake, and once you start paying attention to them, it's hard not to wonder what their environment is actually like. I see these beautiful animals swimming around, and then I look at the water they're swimming in and see the debris and the muck, and it really gets to me. Maybe I'm more sensitive to it because I've known this place for so long, but I can't just look at the swans anymore without looking at what's underneath them. Then all those memories come rushing back. All these different versions of my life that somehow happened around this same lake, and now I'm standing here decades later looking at that water, watching the wildlife swimming through it, and thinking about how much has changed and how much of this lake is still dealing with the same problems. And honestly, after all this time..... the City of Orlando needs to simply "DO BETTER"

This playground has a lot of great features. It is fenced in. It has nice artificial turf…read more(excellent for crawling babies). It has a fair amount of shade and a lot of picnic tables. It has two regular swings and two baby swings. It has a "little kid" and a "big kid" playground. It has bathrooms on site. The cons are that it can be difficult to keep an eye on all your children if one wants to be on the big playground and one on the little. Worse than that is that the big kid playground is a little TOO big. It has a lot of openings a child could fall out of that are quite high. Thankfully the third story doesn't have an opening, but I have seen older kids climb up the outside of the large enclosed slides all the way to the top. It was extremely scary! There are warnings for bees but I am yet to see any.

This is an updated review from me. I used to bring my nieces and nephews to Friendship Park, now…read moreI'm bringing my own kids. The park has toddler swings as well as regular swings, making it great for children of all ages. Since my last review, everything has been repainted and cleaned, and the improvements are noticeable. There are restrooms on-site and plenty of shaded areas. The entire playground is fenced in. It does get pretty busy during the day time on the weekends, as many birthdays occur here. Also, the church across the street uses the parking area on Sundays so parking can be limited during that time.